Malawi unveil reps at Paralympics games in Brazil

A 20-year old Nkhota-kota based visually impaired Taonere Banda will represent Malawi at the fourth coming Paralympics games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Malawi Paralympics Committee (MPC) has disclosed.

Prisca, Grace and Taonere

George Chiutsi emphasizing on a point.

During the event, MPC also unveiled Prisca Kachule and Alinafe Puwa who are among the four athletes expected to represent the country at another Paralympics tournament in Angola later this year.

Speaking after unveiling the athletes in Blantyre, President of MPC George Chiutsi said Banda, a bronze and silver medalist winner will compete under the “Universal Wild card”.

“We can confirm that Taonere Banda will represent Malawi at this year’s Paralympics games in Rio. She along with her Coach George Luhanga and the leader of delegation will depart for Brazil on 3rd September.

“Taonere, Prisca and Alinafe have already started the preparations and they are expected to be in camp for two months. We thank government through the National Council of Sports for fully supporting MPC in this initiative,” said Chiutsi.

Banda also revealed that MPC has partnered Sight Savers for the preparations and hope that the athletes will have enough time to prepare.

“Sight Savers have a similar mission of helping people with disabilities, hence this partnership. They will meet all the costs for the preparations and this has really eased the pressure on us,” Chiutsi said.

In her remarks, Banda commended MPC for choosing her to represent the nation at such a major competition. She said her target is to repay them by winning gold medal at the Rio games.

“I am happy and humbled to have once again been given the nod to represent my country at such a historical event. I promise to bring back home gold medal as an appreciation for their confidence and trust in me,” said Banda flanked by Kachule and Puwa.

Meanwhile, MPC says both Banda and the four other athletes are expected to undergo intensive training for the competitions.